Quick hits ...

Just a few quick thoughts to start out this lovely Thursday morning (6:25 a.m.) before heading out to Meydan for the annual Breakfast With the Stars function, a huge public affair in which the public can come out and watch the horses on the track and hear from many of the main participants for Saturday's races ...

Flashback to yesterday's post about how it is very similar here but things are just a little bit different. As I was jogging this morning, trying to snap myself out of some serious sleep deprivation, I noticed two ads for McDonalds that I have yet to see in the States. One was for Chicken McWings, which come in four-piece boxes, and McPizza Puffs, sort of like Hot Pockets with different ingredients. May have to run over later and see what other non-traditional items they have on the menu.

While coming back from the post position draw last night, I bumped into California-based trainer Julio Canani, who is a regular in Dubai and one of the friendliest people to talk to once you get him talking. He looked a little more downtrodden than I and when I asked how he was doing, he smiled and shrugged. He explained that he has had a horse running on the Dubai World Cup card every year for the past ten years -- but not this year. "I feel a little bit lost," he said. "But I still wanted to be here. I just can't stay away." I know the feeling, Julio.

Starlight Partners' Jack Wolf had the line of the day when I asked him how multiple Grade 1 winner Take the Points, trained by Todd Pletcher, had settled in after the long flight and the change in climate. “Todd’s assistant said she’s never seen him eat like this. He’s just like me. He’s not leaving anything in the feed tub.” Unfortunately, I also know THAT feeling far too well."

I'll leave you with a quote from California-based owner Marty Wygod, who had planned on having Life Is Sweet running in the Emirates Airline Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) but had to drop those plans when she tied up following a workout two weeks ago and was retired. I asked Wygod about his impressions of Meydan and the show they put on for the draw and he said: “This place takes your breath away. This whole project is so good for the industry all over the world. The commitment that the folks over here have made to racing and breeding internationally is extremely significant if our sport is to continue to grow stronger.” Wygod’s Grade 2 winner Courageous Cat will start in the $5-million Dubai Duty Free (UAE-G1) on Saturday.

More to come following Breakfast With the Stars ...